As St. Aidan's College, Derrylin celebrated its 50th anniversary recently, principal Pat McTeggart said the school is looking forward "with confidence but not complacency to the future".

Saturday, March 25 saw celebrations held which saw former and present students attend the special occasion, with the highlight of the celebration being the Mass of Thanksgiving which was concelebrated by Bishop Martin Hayes, Bishop Leo O'Reilly, former student Fr. Niall Green, Fr. Gerard Alwell, PP, Derrylin, and eight other priests who ministered or who are currently in the parishes of Knockninny and Kinawley/Killesher.

The theme was one of thanksgiving for all that has been achieved in the school's illustrious history, but also a time of reflection, especially remembering all staff and students who have passed away.

Five former Head Students – one from each decade, Francis Murphy(1970s), Fr. Niall Green (1980s), Leanne Scallon (1990s), John Cunningham (2000s) and Cara Wardman (2010s) – spoke of their memories of the school.

Five representatives of the sporting clubs did the Prayers of The Faithful, and a jigsaw comprising five parts, representing different groupings from within the school, were brought up by a student, a teacher, a classroom assistant, a governor and a representative from the Parent Teacher Friends Association.

Sean Martin and Carian Rooney, the first Head Boy and Head Girl, brought up a candle and handed it over to a First Year student, Chloe Reilly, as a symbol of handing on faith.

The act was also symbolic of presenting a beacon of light, so that St. Aidan's will continue to shine as a school that promotes excellence for the next 50 years.

St. Aidan's is the only post-primary school in the Diocese of Kilmore, and is a school at the heart of the community.

Principal Pat McTeggart also spoke at the Mass, thanking all those in attendance for coming, those who helped to organise the 50th anniversary celebrations, and he remembered staff and students who have passed away.

"Back in 1972, the first principal – Bryan Gallagher – told the people at the official opening of St Aidan’s that, and I quote: 'A school like St. Aidan’s had two courses open to it. The first was to have a beautiful building for formal education, or the alternative was to have a place bubbling with energy, a dynamic centre day and night for the educational, cultural and social activity of children and adults in the parishes'.

"The latter was his dream for St. Aidan’s. Well, this dream has long since become a reality, and has materialised due to the hard work of the successive principals, senior management teams, staff, governors and the community.

"The journey over the last 50 years has seen many milestones, some of which are highlighted in the display of memorabilia in the school, but also some challenges, which have been navigated with the support and help of the community, who have been determined and continue to be steadfast in maintaining a post-primary school in this part of south Fermanagh."

He said St. Aidan's needed to continue to "achieve, develop and grow as a hub of learning for future generations" and this has started with the completion of a new classroom block, which incorporates an Art Suite and Maths Room.

"But more needs to be done, and it is incumbent on all of us to ensure that the powers that be deliver the necessary funding and support for that foundation to be effectively built upon. We look forward with confidence, but not complacency to the future."

Following the Mass, a reception was held in the school where photographs and memorabilia from the past 50 years were displayed.

As the large crowd made their way round the exhibition, many friendships were renewed, and many stories were exchanged on times gone by as people took in the display, which was open to the public until Tuesday, April 4.

Bishop Martin Hayes also opened the new classroom block.

Looking back at the celebrations, Mr. McTeggart said: "As a former student [of the school] myself, it was a particularly proud moment, and one that will live long in the memory, but also tinged with sadness as I remember those staff and students – many who were good friends – who have passed away.

"I am very proud to be a former student of the school, [and] a teacher and now principal [of it], and I want to thank all staff and students who put in so much hard work to ensure that the celebrations were such a success," he added.